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67-731: The association was established in March 1913 at a conference in Beniapara, Bogra by some of Bengal 's most senior scholars such as Abul Kalam Azad , Muhammad Abdullahil Baqi and Muhammad Shahidullah . The first president and secretary of the Anjuman was Mohammad Akram Khan with Maniruzzaman Islamabadi as joint secretary. Ismail Hossain Siraji was also a notable member of the organisation. Aiming to bring about Muslim unity, regardless of sects, and prevent Muslims from converting to Christianity. On 3 May 1915,

134-421: A depth of around 17 m. Govinda Bhita: Situated 185 m north-east of Jahajghata and opposite the site museum. Remains dated from 3rd century BC to 15th century AD. Base remains of two temples have been exposed. Totaram Panditer Dhap: Situated in the village Vihara, about 6 km north-west of the citadel. Structural remains of a damaged monastery have been exposed. Narapatir Dhap: Situated in

201-674: A high monk of the Jain religion and the son of a Brahmin of Kotivarsha , was the Jain-Guru of Chandra Gupta Maurya . Ashoka was a firm believer in Buddhism and put to death many naked sectarians, presumably the Jains, in Pundravardhana. The Gupta authority of the third-to-fifth centuries A.D. over this district is revealed by the discovery of several inscriptions of that period from Pundravardhana, which

268-403: A king named Parasuram), Bairagir Bhita (palace of a female anchorite), Khodar Pathar Bhita (place of stone bestowed by God), and Munir Ghon (a bastion). There are some gateways at different points: Kata Duar (in the north), Dorab Shah Toran (in the east), Burir Fatak (in the south), and Tamra Dawaza (in the west) At the north-eastern corner there is a flight of steps (a later addition) that goes by

335-590: A large portion of cultivable wasteland. This part of the district is slightly higher than the eastern parts and is mostly above flood level. The soil of this part is generally suited to the growth of paddy. Adamdighi is well known for the fine qualities of rice, which is also grown to some extent in the Shibganj Upazila. The tract to the east of the Karatoya is a part of the valley of the Brahmaputra River ; it

402-460: A narrow motorable road about 1 km. Excavations in 1934–36 revealed a terraced podium with 172 rectangular blind cells. It is dated 6th–7th century. Local mythology associates it with legendary Lakshmindara-Behula . The village Gokul also has several other mound Kansr Dhap has been excavated. Skandher Dhap: Situated in village Baghopara on the Bogra-Rangpur road, 3.5 km to the south of

469-412: A nearby village named Vamanpara. A number of coins belonging to the sultans of 14th–15th century and British East India Company have been found. Ceramics: Mostly represented by a vast number of shards. Sculpture: A 5th century Buddha stone sculpture recovered from Vasu Vihara, a Lokesvara stone sculpture showing blending of Vishnu and Avalokiteśvara , salvaged from neighbouring Namuja village,

536-480: A number sandstone door-frames, pillars and lintels (datable to 5th–12th century), numerous Buddha bronze sculpture datable to 10th–11th century, a terracotta Surya discovered at Mankalir Bhita, and numerous other pieces. Terracotta Plaques: A number of terracotta plaques have been discovered. Many of these are on display in the site museum, which is open Sunday to Thursday summer:10 am to 6 pm, winter:9 am to 5 pm. Recess:1–2 pm, Friday recess

603-456: A retinue. The period of his arrival is variably put at 5th century AD, 11th century AD and 17th century AD. At that time there was a king named Parasuram with his seat and palace in Mahasthangarh. Mahisawar requested Parasuram for a piece of land to spread his prayer mat on which he could pray. The request was granted but the prayer mat started expanding as soon as it was laid on the ground. When

670-552: A three-faced female figure probably Ushnishavijava (Sadhanamala; II. pl. XIV) and a four-armed female figure playing on a vina (evidently Sarasvati, but worshipped here as Sarva¬ mangala). Over the entrance is a brick inscription reading 1089 Meher Natha sadaka sri Abhirama Mehetara (the year =1681 A.D.). In the Durga temple is a stone image of Chamunda, and in the Gorakshanatha one, a Siva lihga. There are three brick built samadhis near

737-469: Is 1,288 people per km . Bogra District has a literacy rate (age 7 and over) was 72.55%, compared to the national average of 74.80%, and a sex ratio of 98.52 males per 100 females. Approximately, 25.74% (961,354) of the population live in urban areas. The ethnic population was 5,994. The main language of the district is Bengali ; a Northern Bengali dialect is commonly used. Bogra has 12 upazilas (subdistricts): Mahasthangarh Mahasthangarh

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804-642: Is acknowledged as the earliest city-site discovered thus far in Bangladesh. Somapura Mahavihara at Paharpur in Naogaon District was once the biggest Buddhist monastery south of the Himalayas. It dates from the 8th century AD. Mainamati ruins in Comilla District date back to 6th–13th centuries AD. In neighbouring West Bengal , the ruins of Dihar at Bishnupur subdivision of Bankura district date back to

871-607: Is another mound called Singhinath Dhap. Mathura East of Bumanpara and extending up to the garh on the east and the Kalidaha bill on the north, is the village of Mathura, in Which there are several tank and on a ridge overlooking the Gilatala moat, two mounds called Parasuramer Sabhabati and Yogir Dhap. In a 2010 report titled Saving Our Vanishing Heritage , Global Heritage Fund identified Mahasthangarh as one of 12 worldwide sites most "On

938-571: Is evident from the account of a Chinese pilgrim Xuanzang , who may have visited Pundravardhana in 640 A.D. By the middle of the eighth century, Gopala I assumed control over the affairs of North Bengal , establishing a royal house known as the Pala Dynasty . After Gopal was elected king, he took his seat in Pundravardhana and ruled over the region up to c.  780 and was succeeded by his son Dharmapala ( c.  781 –821). The Pala Kings had peaceful possession of this district until

1005-977: Is from 12.30 to 2.30, opens at 9 am in summer, other timings same. Summer timings 1 April to 30 September, winter timings 1 October to 30 March. Books on Mahasthangarh and other archaeological sites in Bangladesh (in Bengali and English) are available at the ticket counter for the site museum. Bairagir Bhita: Constructed/ reconstructed in four periods: 4th–5th century AD, 6th–7th century, 9th–10th century, and 11th century. Excavations have revealed impoverished base ruins resembling temples. Two sculptured sandstone pillars have been recovered. Khodarpathar Bhita: Some pieces of stone carved with transcendent Buddha along with devotees in anjali (kneeling with folded hands) recovered. Parasuramer Prasad: Contains remains of three occupation periods – 8th century AD findings include stone Visnupatta of Pala period, 15th- 16th century findings include some glazed shreds of Muslim origin, and

1072-550: Is generally low-lying and intersected by numerous khals ( canals , shallow swamps and marshes). It is subject to yearly inundation from the overflow of the Brahmaputra and gets a rich deposit of silt. There is very little jungle and almost the entire area is under cultivation. There are many rivers in the Bogra District. The Karatoya is the central divider of the water channel in the district. The other rivers may be classified into

1139-429: Is said, goes oil to Ghoraghat. It is made of the red earth of the locality and retains at places even now a height of 20 feet above the level of the country. There is a break ill it of over three miles from Daulatpur (north west of Mahasthan-garh) to Hazaradighi (south-west, of it). About a mile south of Hazradighi. the stream Subil approaches the jangal and runs alongside it down to Bogra town. Some people think that

1206-623: Is the earliest urban archaeological sites discovered thus far in Bangladesh . The village Mahasthan in Shibganj upazila of Bogra District contains the remains of an ancient city which was called Pundranagara or Paundravardhanapura in the territory of Pundravardhana . A limestone slab bearing six lines in Prakrit in Brahmi script recording a land grant, discovered in 1931, dates Mahasthangarh to at least

1273-416: Is the founder of this order. His center of activity was at the shrine of Shah Madar at Makanpur near Kanpur. On 25 February 1771, he had his first encounter with sepoys led by Lieutenant Feltham at Dinajpur. This clash was unsuccessful. He then moved to Khanka in Mahasthangarh, Bogra. Mahasthangarh ( Pundranagar ), the ancient capital of Pundravardhana is located 11 km (6.8 mi) north of Bogra on

1340-649: The Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind . Its aims included providing Islamic education , countering hostility and misconceptions preached by Christian missionaries as well as reforming and uniting Muslim society to an orthodox fashion through the Quran and Sunnah . This included actively educating unlettered and illiterate Muslims of Bengal and Assam about shirk and bidʻah . At the same time, the organisation promoted Hindu–Muslim unity . Many maktabs , madrasas , bayt al-mal and social arbitration boards were founded and funded by

1407-623: The 2700 BC. The ruins of Pandu Rajar Dhibi on the banks of the Ajay River in Bardhaman district also date back to 2000 BC. However, this recent archaeological discovery has not yet been properly studied by outside experts and specialists in this field, and as such the historical value of many of the statements must be considered as uncertain. The ruins at Chandraketugarh in 24 Parganas South and Rajbadidanga in Murshidabad district date back to

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1474-524: The 3rd century BCE . It was an important city under the Maurya Empire . The fortified area was in use until the 8th century CE. Mahasthan means a place that has excellent sanctity and garh means fort. Mahasthan was first mentioned in a Sanskrit text of the 13th century entitled Vallalcharita . It is also mentioned in an anonymous text Karatoya mahatmya, circumstantially placed in 12th–13th century. The same text also mentions two more names to mean

1541-555: The Bogra district during the Battle of Bogra between the allied troops of Mukti Bahini and Indian Army , and the Pakistan Army , with the former being victorious. In 2018, the government of Bangladesh changed the spelling of the district's name from Bogra to Bogura. The area consisting of Sariakandi Upazila , Gabtali Upazila , Sonatala Upazila , and the majority of Dhunat is called

1608-515: The Bogra- Rangpur highway, with a feeder road (running along the eastern side of the ramparts of the citadel for 1.5 km) leading to Jahajghata and site museum. Buses are available for Bogra from Dhaka and take 4 1 ⁄ 2  hours for the journey via Bangabandhu Jamuna Bridge across the Jamuna River . Accommodation is available at Bogra. It is believed that the for the city in

1675-676: The Delhi Sultanate, who began governing the territory as part of Bengal. Nasiruddin Bughra Khan , for whom Bogra is named, declared his independence from the Delhi Sultanate. The Bengal Sultans built a large number of mosques in Bogra district. In the late 16th century, the region was largely governed by Afghan warlords settled on rent-free land. When the Mughals invaded, these supported the Baro-Bhuiyans , but were defeated. Bogra then became part of

1742-484: The Karatoya, about 2 miles and 4 miles respectively north of Bogra town and there is a diagonal embankment connecting these cross bonds and then running along the Karatoya until it meets the main embankment near Bogra. This jangal or embankment appears to have been of a military character, thrown up to protect the country on its east. The break roar Mahasthan may be due to the embankment having been washed away or to

1809-556: The Sarkar of Bazuha. The present Bogra District was first formed in 1821 during British rule . In the 1901 census, the population of the district on a reduced area was around 854,533, an increase of 11% over the past decade, and it also revealed there was no town with a population above 10,000. The famous Prafulla Chaki (1888–1908) was born in this district. During the Bangladesh Liberation War of 1971, fighting occurred in

1876-606: The Silimpllr inscription (Ep. Ind, XIII, p. 291). If this identification is correct, then the word kaunjanraghatacarshcna in the Bangarh stone inscription (Gauda-raja-mala, p. 35) is really the title or virudha of the Gudapati of the Kumboja family and not the date of the inscription. Teghar North of Chandnia that the road skirts the bil and comes to Teghar village Which juts out into

1943-606: The Subil is a moat formed by digging the earth for the jangal but as there is no embankment on the northern reach of the Subil now called the Ato nala. which merges in the Kalidaha bil; north of Mahasthan-garh O'Donnell was probably right in saying that the Subil represents the western of the two branches into which the Karatoya divided above Mahasthan. On the Bogra-Hazradighi section of the jangal, there are two cross embankments running down to

2010-521: The Verge" of irreparable loss and damage, citing insufficient management (poor water drainage in particular) and looting as primary causes. There is a local legend that Shah Sultan Balkhi Mahisawar arrived at Pundravardhana in the garb of a fakir (mystic holy pedlar of Islamic philosophy) riding a fish. (Mahisawar is Persian word meaning a 'person who rides a fish'). He came from Balkh in Afghanistan with

2077-433: The area was decided upon because it is one of the highest areas in Bangladesh. The land in the region is almost 36 metres (118 ft) above sea level, whereas Dhaka, the capital of Bangladesh, is around 6 metres (20 ft) above sea level. Another reason for choosing this place was the position and size of the Karatoya , which as recently as in the 13th century was three times wider than Ganges . Mahasthangarh stands on

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2144-628: The association initiated an illustrated monthly Bengali publication known as Al-Eslam , with Akram as chief editor. Notable writers for the paper included Begum Rokeya and Fazlul Hoque Selbarsi. Over 1500 copies were in circulation. It contained articles on history, literature, philosophy, and cultural heritage. Two years later, they hosted their second conference in Calcutta . The third conference took place in Patiya in August 1919. Promoting Hindu–Muslim unity ,

2211-461: The bil 'Near about here are several mounds; such as Naras¬patir dhap. Kacher Angina (or glazed courtyard, a term applied to many ruins in these parts) etc. The biggest of these mounds, Mangal-nather dhap, (Fig. 6) is situated close to the point, from which a road branches off to Bihar. It is said that terracotta plaques as well as stone images were found at this site, but were all consigned to the neighbouring dighi. Rojakpur Proceeding westward along

2278-413: The citadel is approximately 185 ha. The Karatoya , once a mighty river but now a small stream, flows on its east. Till the 1920s, when excavations started, the inside of the citadel was higher than the surrounding areas by over 4 metres and was dotted with several straggling elevated pieces of land. The rampart looked like a jungle clad mud rampart with forced openings at several points. The rampart

2345-464: The citadel, a sandstone Kartika was found and structural vestiges of a damaged building were revealed. It is believed to be the remains of Skandha Mandira (temple consecrated to Kartika), mentioned in Karatoya mahatmya , as well as Kalhan's Rajatarangin, written in 1149–50. There also are references to Skandhnagara as a suburb of Pundranagara. Baghopara village has three other mounds. Khulnar Dhap: Situated in village Chenghispur, 700 m west of

2412-461: The district to antiquity, however, mostly rely on an association with the old, fortified town that is now known as Mahasthangarh . The district was under the rule of the Mauryas in the 4th and 3rd centuries B.C. This is evidenced by the presence of pillars of Ashoka in many parts of Pundravardhana and the discovery of an ancient Brahmi inscription at Mahasthangarh in this district. Bhadra Bahu,

2479-521: The eastern alluvial tract. It is fertilized by silt from floodwaters. The eastern alluvion is one of the most fertile and prosperous areas in Bogra; jute , aman paddy , sugarcane and pulses are locally grown. Sometimes, as many as three cycles of crops are grown on one field in a year with little diminution in productivity. The western portion of the district is well-wooded with dense, shrub jungles in Upazilas of Sherpur and in parts of Sibganj, which has

2546-491: The eastern and western systems. Some of the major rivers in this district are: The district has a humid subtropical climate . The average annual rainfall in this part of the country varies from 1400 mm to 1600 mm. According to the 2022 Census of Bangladesh , Bogra District has 1,025,200 households and a population of 3,734,297 with an average 3.58 people per household. Among the population, 612,661 (16.41%) inhabitants are under 10 years of age. The population density

2613-411: The enclose are four temples, dedicated respectively to Kalabhai¬rava, Sarvamangala Durga and Gorakshanatha. The Kalabhairava temple contains a diva linga and bears a brick inscription reading Sri Ramasiddha sana 1173 sala (=1766 A.D.) ample Sri Jayanatha Nara-Narayana. The Sarva¬mangala temple contains three images of Hara-Gauri, one of Mahishamardini, a fragment of an Ashta-matrika slab, a fragment of

2680-700: The end of their rule over Bengal in the twelfth century. Dharmapala was the son of and successor to Gopala , extended his power beyond Pundravardhana. Like his father, he was a Buddhist and founded the Buddhist Vihara at Somapura Mahavihara in Varendra , the ruins of which in Naogaon District have been discovered. The Senas originally came from the Deccan Plateau and settled in West Bengal . Vijayasena

2747-526: The erection of a tomb in honour of Numar Khan, who was a Meer-e-Bahar (lieutenant of the naval fleet). A Persian inscriptional slab of 1718–19 records the construction of a mosque during the reign of the Mughal Emperor Farrukhsiyar . Coins: Silver punch marked coins are datable to a period between the 4th century BC and the 1st–2nd century AD. Some uninscribed copper cast coins have been found. Two Gupta period coins have been reported from

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2814-635: The existence of natural protection by the bit. The Bhima to whom the embankment is ascribed may be the Kaivarta chief of the eleventh century who according to the Ramcharitam ruled over Varendra in succession to his father Rudraka and uncle Divyoka, who had ousted king Mahipala II of the Pala, dynasty. Bhima in his turn was defeated in battle and billed by Ramapala. Mahipala's son. Jogir Bhaban South west of Bagtahali (beyond Chak Bariapara) and some 3 miles west of

2881-674: The family due to spiritual reasons and GARH/GAR means fort). According to the sublime oral history of the Fakir-Sannasy rebel movement in India during the British Raj, these  MASTANS namely the wandering fakirs of Bengal took refuge in the ruins of the historic Pundravardhan or Pundranagar city and used it as fort(GARH).Majnu Shah was a fakir of the Madaria sect. Syed Badiuddin Qutubul Shah Madar

2948-595: The khetlal road is a settlement of the Natha sect of Saiva sannyasis, known as Yogir-bhavan, forming the eastern section of Arora village. An account of this settlement is given by Beveridge, J.:1.S.T., 1878; p. 94. It occupies about so, bighas of land and forms the headquarters of the sect. of which there are branches at Yogigopha and Gorakh-kui, both in the Dinajpur District, the former in its south-west part some 5 miles west of Paharpur, J.A.S.B.1875, p. 189, and

3015-714: The kingdoms of ancient Bengal region and was separated by the Karatoya River from the more easterly kingdom of Prag-Jyotisha or Kamrupa . The name Pundravardhana frequently occurs in the Mahabharata , Ramayana , and the Puranas . According to the Mahabharata and the Puranas, Vasudeva , a powerful prince of the Pundra family, ruled over Pundravardhana as far back as 1280 B.C. The claims of

3082-402: The latter in its north-west part some 4 miles west of Nekmardan. The shrines at Yogir-bhavan are situated in the south-west corner of an en¬closure or-math. One of them called Dharmma-dungi, bears a brick inscription, reading scrvva-siddha sana 1148 Sri Suphala ... (the year =1741 A.D.). 'In front of it is another shrine called 'Gadighar,' where a fire is kept burn at all hours. Outside

3149-884: The latter temple. Arora South-west of the Dadhisugar and standing on the Masandighi, in Arora village; is Salvan Rajar bari referred to under Baghahali. This Silvan may possibly be the same as king Salavahan, son of Sahila-deva of the Chamba inscription who won the title of Kari-ghata-varsha (= hunjara-ghata-varsha ?) ( R. C. Majumdar , vange kambojadhikara,' vanga-rani, Chaitara, 1330.B.S.p. 251, ind. Ant, XVII.pp. 7–13). Beveridge refers to this mound in JA.S.B., 1878, p 95. This name of Sahila seems, to occur again in Sahiladitya lakshmam in v. 10 of

3216-486: The name of Jahajghata. A little beyond Jahajghata and on the banks of the Karatoya is Govinda Bhita (a temple dedicated to Govinda). In front of it is the site museum, displaying some of the representative findings. Beside it is a rest house. Besides the fortified area, there are around a hundred mounds spread over an area with a radius of 9 km. (See map alongside). Excavated mounds: Major unexcavated mounds: Systematic archaeological excavation of Mahasthangarh

3283-426: The north-west corner of the citadel has revealed remains of a temple. The mound is named after Khullana, wife of Chand Sadagar . From the present findings it can be deduced that there was a city called Pundravardhana at Mahasthangarh with a vast suburb around it, on all sides except the east, where the once mighty Karatoya used to flow. It is evident that the suburbs of Pundravardhana extended at least to Baghopara on

3350-598: The northern part of Bangladesh , in the Rajshahi Division . Bogra is an industrial city where many small and mid-sized companies are sited. Bogra was a part of the Pundravardhana territory of ancient Bengal and the ruins of its capital can be found in northern Bogra. In the ancient period , Bogra District was a part of the territory of the Pundras or Paundras , which were known by the name of Pundravardhana , one of

3417-530: The organisation actively participated in anti-colonial uprisings such as the Khilafat Movement as well as Gandhi 's Non-cooperation movement . They opened a Swadeshi - Khilafat store in Calcutta , promoting the sale of native goods. The uprisings changed the socio-politics in India and the association was eventually disbanded in 1921 to merge with the Jamiat Ulema-e-Bangala, a regional branch of

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3484-553: The organisation; bringing about solidarity and a strong morale amongst Muslims . They popularised the use of the Bengali language amongst the Muslim middle-class. There was also an aspiration of establishing an Islamic university in Chittagong although this never came into being. Bogra District Bogra District , officially Bogura District since April 2018, is a district in

3551-486: The prayer mat reached the area around the palace bewildered Parasuram declared war. In the beginning the battle seemed to be favouring Parasuram. A scavenger Harapala informed Mahisawar that it was difficult to defeat the royal troops because of the pool called Jiat Kunda. A dead soldier bathed in the waters of Jiat Kunda came back to life. On knowing this Mahisawar asked a kite to drop a piece of beef in Jiat Kunda. When this

3618-476: The recovery of a large number of items, a few of which are listed here. Inscriptions: A 4.4 cm x 5.7 cm limestone slab bearing six lines in Prakrit in Brahmi script, discovered accidentally by a day labourer in 1931 was an important find. The text appears to be a royal order of Magadh, possibly during the rule of Asoka . It dates the antiquity of Mahasthangarh to 3rd century BC. An Arabic inscriptional slab of 1300–1301 discovered in 1911–12 mentions

3685-477: The red soil of the Barind Tract which is slightly elevated within the largely alluvium area. The elevation of 15 to 25 metres above the surrounding areas makes it a relatively flood free physiographic unit. Several personalities contributed to the discovery and identification of the ruins at Mahasthangarh. Francis Buchanan Hamilton was the first to locate and visit Mahasthangarh in 1808, C.J.O'Donnell, E.V.Westmacott, and Beveridge followed. Alexander Cunningham

3752-453: The road from Gokul to Haripur, we pass into the western arm of the latter village, already referred to. and meet the Bogra¬ Khetlal road near the Chandnia hat. West of Haripur and south of the Somrai bil is the village of Rojakpur, into which, as already stated, the elevated ground from Chandnia hat extends. On this ground are two mounds called respectively Chandbhita. (probably referring to the Manasa legend) and Dhanbhandar. A little further west

3819-582: The same place – Pundrakshetra, land of the Pundras, and Pundranagara, city of the Pundras. In 1685, an administrative decree mentioned the place as Mastangarh, a mixture of Sanskrit and Persian meaning fortified place of an auspicious personage. Subsequent discoveries have confirmed that the earlier name was Pundranagara or Paundravardhanapura, and that the present name of Mahasthangarh is of later origin. Instead of MAHASTHANGARH it has become utterly renowned as MASTAN GAR/মাস্তান গড় /মস্তান গড় (MASTAN means intoxicated with divine love; aversion to luxury. leaving

3886-415: The south-west, Gokul on the south, Vamanpara on the west, and Sekendrabad on the north. However, the plan of the city and much of its history are still to be revealed. Bhimer Jangal This well-known embankment starts from the north-east corner of Bogra town and proceeds northwards for about 30 miles to a marshy place called Damukdaher bit, under police station Govindaganj (Gaibandha District) and it

3953-421: The third period has revealed two coins of the British East India Company issued in 1835 and 1853. Mankalir Dhap: terracotta plaques, bronze Ganesha , bronze Garuda etc. were discovered. Base ruins of a 15-domed mosque (15th–16th century) was revealed. Bangla - Franco joint venture: Excavations have revealed 18 archaeological layers, ranging from 5th century BC to 12th century AD, until virgin soil at

4020-423: The village Basu Vihara, 1.5 km north-west of Totaram Panditer Dhap. Base remains of two monasteries and a temple have been exposed. Cunningham identified this place as the one visited by Xuanzang (Hiuen Tsang) in the 7th century AD. Gokul Medh: Also known as Behular Basar Ghar or Lakshindarer Medh, situated in the village Gokul, 3 km to the south of the citadel, off the Bogra-Rangpur road, connected by

4087-439: Was 11–13 metres (36–43 ft) higher than the surrounding area. At its south-east corner stood a mazhar (holy tomb). A later day mosque (built in 1718–19) was also there. At present there are several mounds and structural vestiges inside the fortifications. Of these a few of note are: Jiat Kunda (well which, according to legends, has life giving power), Mankalir Dhap (place consecrated to Mankali), Parasuramer Basgriha (palace of

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4154-440: Was a Bhukti under the rule of Guptas till the end of the fifth century. Bogra was the part of Gauda Kingdom of ancient Bengal , after the rule of Guptas in Bengal . At the beginning of the seventh century, King Shashanka came upon the throne of Gauda and exercised his authority over Pundravardhana, including this district. After the death of Shashanka , the region fell under the rule of Harshavardhana (626–647). This

4221-401: Was carried out sporadically in parts of the east and north ramparts but the final report is yet to be published. In the period 1992–98 excavation was conducted in the area lying between Bairagir Bhita and the gateway exposed in 1991 as a Bangla-Franco joint venture, which is now in its second phase with excavation around the mazhar in the western side of the citadel. The excavations have led to

4288-454: Was done, the pool lost its powers. The royal troops were on the verge of defeat. The commander of the royal troops, Chilhan, with a large number of his followers, went over to Mahisawar. Thereafter Parasuram and many members of the royal family committed suicide. There are many variations of this anecdote, some of which are sold in Bengali booklets in and around Mahasthangarh/Pundravardhana. Mahasthangarh dates back to at least 3rd century BC and

4355-415: Was first started in 1928–29 under the guidance of K.N.Dikshit of the Archaeological Survey of India. The areas around Jahajghata, Munir Ghon and Bairagir Bhita were explored. Excavation was resumed in 1934–36 at Bairagir Bhita and Govinda Bhita. Excavation was carried out in 1960s around the Mazhar, Parasuramer Prasad, Mankalir Dhap, Jiat Kunda and in a part of the northern rampart. In the next phase excavation

4422-413: Was the first ruler of the dynasty. He defeated the last Pala king Madanapala and established his authority over the district. He was succeeded by his son Vallal Sena (1160–1178), who was in possession of the district. He built his capital at Bhabanipur Shaktipeeth , a Shakti Peeth in this district. In the early 13th century, Pundravardhana along with the rest of the Senas fell to Turkic invaders from

4489-554: Was the first to identify the place as the capital of Pundravardhana. He visited the site in 1879. On 19 April 2004, The Daily Star reported that locals were looting bricks and valuables from the site. They were also building residences on the site ignoring government regulations. The citadel is the fortified heart of the ancient city, is rectangular in plan, measuring roughly 1.523 kilometres (0.946 mi) long from north to south, and 1.371 kilometres (0.852 mi) from east to west, with high and wide ramparts in all its wings. Area of

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